Here’s What Mental Health First Aid Is

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We’ve all heard of rendering physical first aid, but do you know that there’s something called the mental first aid. Here’s how the toolkit works, understand this so you can rush to the aid of anyone who’s having a mental health breakdown or a panic attack.

And when we understand how to provide mental health first aid, especially to youth, we can identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18.

50% of all mental illnesses begin by age 14, and 75% by the mid-20s.

Source: Archives of General Psychiatry; Kessler, R., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R., Merikangas, K.R., Walters, E.E. (2005, June). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry. 62(6); 593-602. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.593

• Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in
this age group, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders
and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).
• Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
• How to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis.
• How to connect the youth with help.
• Expanded content on trauma, substance use, self-care and
the impact of social media and bullying.

Who Should Know Mental First Aid?

• Teachers.
• School Staff.
• Coaches.
• Camp Counselors.
• Youth Group Leaders.
• Parents.
• Adults who Work with Youth.

Learn how to respond with the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE). The acronym ALGEE stands for:

A ssess for risk of suicide or harm.
L isten nonjudgmentally.
G ive reassurance and information.
E ncourage appropriate professional help.
E ncourage self-help and other support strategies.

For more information, visit MHFA.org or email Hello@MentalHealthFirstAid.org.